Grate-supporting structure for sidewalks.



No. 867,130. PATENTED SEPT. 24,1901.

. e. HARMAN.

GRATE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR SIDEWALKS.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.2.'1907- 'UNTTE STATES TENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV HARMAN, OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG-NOR TO HARMAN AND DERIOHS, OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS, A FIRM.

GRATE-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR SIDEWALKS.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1907.

Application filed February 2, 1907. Serial No- 355,485- 5 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV HARMAN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of H01- yoke, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grate-Supporting Structures for Sidewalks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in sidewalk constructions, and particularly pertains to a supporting structure or setting for a grate, or the like, to cover a pit or area under the sidewalk and adjacent the portion of a building at which a basement window, at the side of the pit or area, is provided.

The object of the invention is to provide a setting or grate support, at and below the level of the sidewalk, which may advantageously and inexpensively be constituted by cast iron, which conduces to the utmost convenience in use, and is, especially, devoid of any considerable metallic portions exposed, and to constitute a slippery and dangerous element, at the sidewalk surface.

The improved grate supporting structure is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the novel features thereof are covered in the appended claims.

In the drawings,Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of a sidewalk in which is an area or pit, and through my improved grate supporting structure. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, the portion of the wall of a building abutting on the sidewalk being in horizontal section as taken on the line 22, Fig. 1. The section line 11, on Fig. 2 indicates the plane of the section view Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view through the grate supporting structure, taken on line 33, Fig. 2 and showing a portion of the sidewalk composition or concrete.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the views.

I will proceed to describe the setting or grate support exactly as the same has been constructed and as shown in the drawing, stating, however, at this time that minor changes may be made without departing from or sacrificing the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings,A represents the setting consisting of separated opposite parallel side members a a and a member b disposed right angularly between ends of, and uniting, said side members, all said members a a and b b having outwardly projecting base flanges d, the same being continuous around and integral with the aforementioned members which constitute three sides of a rectangular frame.

f represents an inwardly projecting ledge integrally cast as part of and located suitably below the upper edge of the uniting member b for supporting one end of the grate x. The said opposite side members a a have at their free end portions comparatively short inwardly projecting lugs g g constructed with sockets h which open both outwardly and inwardly, and receive, for supporting engagements therein a transverse supporting bar 1' for the end portion of the grate opposite that which is sustained on the aforementioned integrally cast ledge f,the last named provisions being for the support of the bar i with its upper edge at the same level as the upper surface of said ledge f. The said opposite members a a have outwardly and right angularly extended webs j integrally cast with the free end portions of the members a a and with the ends of their base flanges d d, the same lending stiffness to the structure and also afford, as occasion may sometimes render advantageous, opportunity for making a connection, as by bolts or screws, between the grate supporting frame and the wall of an adjacent building.

y represents a portion of the sidewalk constituting composition, which may be of any of the usual materials or substances, such, for instance, as concrete or cement, artificial stone, brick, or gravel; and it is to be especially perceived that the same may be filled in over the base flanges and built up against the risers or members a a and b flush with the comparatively narrow upper edge of such members, efficiently anchoring the grate support and leaving exposed at the surface of the sidewalk only very narrow metallic portions which, in practice, are about one-half of an inch in width and constitute no substantially considerable slippery and dangerous elements in the sidewalk.

The entire grate supporting frame, with the exception of the one end cross bar '5, being integrally produced from cast iron, and requiring no machine finishing, may be made at a minimum of cost.

I claim 1. A grate supporting structure for sidewalks consisting of separated opposite side members, and a member dis posed right angularly between ends of, and uniting, said opposite side members, all said members having outwardly projecting base flanges, said uniting member having a horizontal, inwardly projecting ledge below its upper edge, for supporting one end of a grate, and said opposite members supporting a bar between their end portions and remotely opposite from said ledge.

2. A grate supporting structure for sidewalks consisting of a cast metal frame comprising opposite parallel side members, and a right angularly disposed cross member between and uniting the transversely opposite ends of the side members, and said members having a continuous externally projecting horizontal base flange, and the cross member having a horizontal inwardly projecting grate supporting ledge below its upper edge, and said side members having at their free end portions inwardly projecting lugs constructed with upwardly and inwardly opening sockets and a grate-end supporting bar having by the end portions thereof, supporting engagements in sockets.

3. A structure for the purpose described consisting of flanges, and a bar supported by and extending liorizonlally 1O separated opposite side members, and a member disposed between the free end portions of the side members. right angular-1y between ends of, and uniting, said opposite Signed by me at Springfield, Mass, in presence of two side members, all said members having outwardly project subscribing witnesses. ing base flanges, said uniting member having a horizontal,

Y inwardly projecting ledge below its upper edge, for sup- GUST! HALMXN' porting one end of a grate, said opposite members having Witnesses: outwardly and right angularly extended webs integral WM. S. Bnnnows,

therewith and with the ends of the side-member base- G. R. DRISCOLL. 

